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Last Day in Prague

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

Our last day in Prague brought a leisurely conclusion to this part of the tour to allow folks to further take in all that the past several days have brought us. We offered a casual exploration of the Old Town district through the neighborhoods and the quaint decorated houses, We strolled down Michalska Street filled with small galleries, Celetna Street, a narrow street of splendid Baroque Buildings and to Obecni Dum, the concert hall with its rich architectural details. We also topped by Havelska, the local market filled with flowers, crafts, food and other goodies—see photos.

Tonight has been planned as an evening at leisure for all to enjoy what that Prague is known for. Folks joined in on several dinner and music options…before calling it a trip-a-complis. In the morning, a 9:30 am departure from the hotel for an 11:00am train..and off to Budapest we go.

Tags: Celetna Street, Havelska, Michalska Street, Obecni Dum, Old Town, Prague
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Prague-Day 4

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Today was a meaningful and powerful day as we visited Terezin and the Hidden Synagogue. Our guide Sylvie Wittmann, is the third generation of a family deeply immersed in the Jewish history of Prague and is legendary in her own right. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989 that brought down communism, one could say that Sylvia, almost single-handedly, orchestrated the rebirth of Judiasm in the Czech Republic and Prague. We were fortunate to have her with us on this memorable day. Today we see some attractions rarely available for groups, including “The Hidden Synagogue,” named for the Jewish Terezin prisoners who burrowed underground to worship there.

Tonight’s dinner, taking place as this is being posted is at Bellevue, often thought to be the best restaurant in Prague. Our tables view the luminescent sparkle of the lighted Charles Bridge and Castle Hill

(photo: Memorial to Terezin – At the Krematorian)

Tags: Hidden Synagogue, Sylvie Wittmann, Terezin
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Prague-Days 2 and 3

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

What an amazing weekend!! On Saturday we toured elegant Hradcany, The Royal Palace, Medieval St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Basilica in its original 10^th century condition and Golden Lane, a narrow road filled with shops. Dinner was with a special guest, Martina Stolbova, winner of an Emmy for Best Documentary film called “The Power of Good” which chronicles the beautiful story of Nicholas Winton, rescuer of Jewish Children. Nicholas Winton, listed among the “righteous” Jews, saved over 600 children by evacuating them by train to London.

On Sunday we visited Josefov, the historic Jewish Center and “The Jewish Museum,” a neighborhood surrounding five synagogues where we learned about the history of the Czech Jews and the Prague Jewish Community. We also went to the magnificent Old Town Square with its renowned Astrological Clock, and Wenceslas Square, where in November 1989, the Velvet Revolution took place and marked the end of Communism.

We topped off the weekend with a night at the spectacular National Theatre to see “The Bartered Bride” considered to be the Czech version of “Fiddler on the Roof.”The opera is considered to have made a major contribution towards the development of Czech music. It was composed during the period 1863–66. The National Theatre in Prague is a stunning neo-renaissance building, constructed from 1868-81. It sits proudly alongside the banks of the Vltava River, its golden roof gleaming in the sunshine on sunny days. For Czech people, the National Theatre is one of the most important cultural institutions in Prague.

..and what did you do this weekend??

Tags: Astrological Clock, Czec Jews, Martina Stolbova, National Theatre, Prague Jewish Community, The Royal Palace
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Prague-Day 1

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Throughout the day today folks arrived into Prague. Now that we’re almost 40 strong, the heart of the tour is about to beginThe program began with a welcome reception and orientation followed by Shabbat Service at one of Prague’s beautiful Synagogues. Shabbat dinner tonight was at the lovely Louvre Restaurant a historic establishment where the likes of . Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka dined. Prague is the most beautiful city in all of Europe. On the walk home from dinner our guests were treated to an illuminated spectacle; a special and meaningful conclusion to the first day.

Tags: Einstein, Kafka, Louvre Restaurant, orientation, Prague, Shabbat, Welcome
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Poland – Day 3

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Today the group departed Krakow on a 9am train bound for Warsaw.

Upon arrival, we had lunch with a guest from the Taube Foundation, an organization supporting the ongoing revival of Jewish culture in Poland and to furthering awareness of this resurgence.

After lunch we embarked on a sightseeing tour of Warsaw that included the former Jewish Ghetto with many inspiring monuments of World War II Nazi period, and the site of the bunker on Mila St., Mila 18 – headquarters of Warsaw Ghetto defenders and Umschlag Platz, where 300,000 Jews were deported.

After checking into the hotel for an evening at leisure, all eyes are on the main part of our Central Europe tour beginning tomorrow, with 25 additional group members arriving into Prague.

Tags: Jewish Ghetto, Prague, Taube Foundation, Warsaw
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